Amusement apparatus



May 15, 1962 "R. E. GRAHAM AMUSEMENT APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMarch 9, 1959 IN V EN TOR. R44 PH I. 6524/74 BY Fl/L was? May 15, 1962R. E. GRAHAM 3,034,785

' AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M y 4 M y nm4 7.. N 2 p ,6 x m A My r a H m J J w W y A F R Y B 4 4% a a a a a wwwi iii fl 3 5 wzw fl fl m 4 f A A w 2 MAX r 5 7 g f n z x p A a p 5mounted in a cockpit.

United Sttes The present invention relates generally to the field ofamusement devices and more particularly to an amusement device whereinpassenger-carrying vehicles, equipped to shoot harmless projectiles, areoperated under the limited control of passengers.

It is a major object of the present invention to provide an amusementdevice which includes a number of vehicles to accommodate passengers,which vehicles are operated under the restricted control of a passengertherein and wherein the vehicles incorporate gun means for shootingharmless projectiles at other vehicles or selected targets.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an amusementapparatus wherein harmless projectiles are shot from vehicles andwherein the projectiles are automatically circulated to be shot over andover.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an amusementapparatus wherein passengers control vehicles from which they shootharmless projectiles at selected targets.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gun means foruse as an amusement device wherein harmless projectiles are shot inrapid succession.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a toy gunwhich may be inexpensively manufactured and which is capable ofpropelling projectiles in rapid sequence.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description, when takenin conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective and sectional view of an illustrativeamusement apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a gun incorporated in the apparatus ofFIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, theapparatus embodying the present invention i shown to includepassenger-carrying vehicles V which are moved in a circular pattern by amotive means M. The vehicles V are capable of assuming various levelsunder control of the passenger therein as will be described hereinafter.Furthermore, the vehicles V are each equipped with a gun G forpropelling projectiles P. The gun G is operated under the control of apassenger in a vehicle and may be pointed at various targets includingother of the vehicles V. The projectiles P eventually fall to the bottomof the apparatus and are carried by a conveyor system C to a reservoirfrom which they are dis pensed to be repeatedly shot by the gun G.

Considering the vehicles V of FIGURE 1 in greater detail, reference willnow be had to FIGURE 2. The vehicles V include a streamlined body formedto simulate a rocket or other aircraft. Fins 12 are mounted to radiatefrom the rear of the body 10 and jet tubes 14 extend from the back ofthe body thereby further providing a rocket appearance for the vehicleV. r

The body 10 contains backto-back seats 16 and 18 The seats may bemounted to turn and are equippedwith safety belts (not shown). Thecockpit of the vehicle V is covered by a transparent canopy 20 which maybe formed of screen or other durable maatent 3,34,785 Patented May 15,1962 terial capable of withstanding repeated bombardment by theprojectiles P.

The seat 18 faces a control level 22 which serves to control thehorizontal position of the vehicle V as will be described hereinafter.Mounted in front of each of the seats 16 and 18 is a gun G which extendsthrough the canopy 20. The gun G shoots the projectiles P which may besmall balls formed of cork or may alternatively be made of plastic orvarious other light materials.

Considering the guns G in detail, reference will now be had to FIGURES 3and 4. The gun G includes a handle 24 integrally-formed with an elongatebarrel 26 in somewhat of a pistol configuration. The handle 24 andbarrel 26 may be formed of rigid plastic, metal or various othermaterials and maybe cast in the form shown as an example. Sights 27 and29 are mounted on the top of the barrel 26 to assist in aiming the gunG. A trigger guard 28 is provided below the barrel 26 adjacent thehandle 24 and contains a trigger 30 which is pivotally-mounted by meansof a pin 32 supported in the casting of the gun G. A coil spring 34 isengaged by the upper part of the trigger 30 and contained in a bore 36adjacent the trigger guard 28. The spring 34 urges the lower part 30A ofthe trigger 30 forward.

An electrical switch 38 is mounted in handle 24 of the gun and includesa plunger 40 which is depressed when the lower part 30A of the trigger30 is pulled rearwardly. The switch 38 may comprise a limited-movementsingle-pole single-throw switch which is normally opened but which isclosed upon depression of the plunger 40 to thereby operate the gun G aswill be described hereinafter.

The projectiles enter the gun G through a spring section 42 to enter achamber 44 bounded by the walls of the barrel 26, pads 46 and a stoproller 48. The pads 46 may be formed of various resilient-deformablematerials as rubber and serve to prevent the projectiles P from leavingthe barrel 26 except when impelled therethrough. The roller 48 ismounted rearward of the chamber 44 on a bracket 50 afiixed to the top ofthe barrel by screws 52.

A cylindrical housing 54 is provided at the bottom of the barrel 26 andmay be integrally-formed therewith. A motor 56 (FIG. 4) is affixed onthe side of the housing 54 by bolts 58 so that the shaft 60 of the motorextends through a bearing shaft 62 into the housing 54. Inside thehousing 54, leaf springs 64 and 66 (FIG. 3) are aflixed to extendradially from the shaft 60 by a coupling 68. The leaf springs arerevolved by the motor 56 to cyclically pass through the chamber 44 afterbeing flexed by engagement with the roller 48. Therefore, the springs 64and 66 enter the chamber 44 with a snap, striking a projectile andpropelling the projectiles through the barrel 26 with considerableforce: Of course, the momentum of the projectiles P is relatively smallin view of their light weight.

The gun G is supported by an upward extending U- shaped mounting bracket'70 (FIG. 4) the extremities of which pivotally receive support shafts62 and 72 coaxially afiixed to the cylindrical housing 54. Thus, the gunG may be easily tilted to various horizontal angles. The shaft 62 passesthe shaft 60 of the motor therethrough to engage the coupling 68 by setscrews 71.

The U-shaped bracket 70 terminates in a cylindrical section 74 at thebottom thereof, which is telescopically received in a bearing 76supported on a mounting panel 80 in the cockpit of the vehicle V. Thecylindrical section 74 isfree to turn within the bearing 76 therebyenabling the gun to be turned to various positions. The motor 56 isenergized through a cord 82 which extends through the cylindricalsection 74 to be connected to a v source of electrical energy.

In the operation of the gun G, the motor 56 is energized upon closure ofthe switch 38 by pulling the trigger 30, thereby revolving the leafsprings 64 and 66 radially within the housing 54. As the leaf springs 64and 66 approach the projectile-containing chamber 44, they engage theroller 48 and are flexed by the further movement of the motor 56. Afterthe springs are flexed to a predetermined degree, they pass under theroller 48 and snap into the chamber 44 to propel a projectile P throughthe barrel 26. Upon the propelling of one projectile P anotherprojectile enters the chamber through the section 42, and is ready to bepropelled by the next spring to enter the chamber 44. Thus it can beseen that the guns G shoot projectiles in rapid sequence, withconsiderable speed.

Considering the integrated system, including a plurality of the vehiclesV, reference will again be made to FIG- URE l. The vehicles V aresupported upon beams 100 pivotally-mounted at the base of a column 102for vertical movement. The column 102 will normally be formed of steeland is aflixed as by welding to a base 104 which has a plurality ofthrust bearing rollers 106 aflixed at the lower, outer edge thereof toengage a bearing race or track 108. The track 108 is supported upon astructure 110 which may be variously formed of rigid members as steelsections. The support structure 110 also incorporates ahorizontally-mounted stabilizing bearing 112 which receives a shaft 114extending from the bottom of the column 102. The shaft 114 is coupled toa motor 116 mounted in the structure 110 by means of a gear traingenerally indicated at 118.

The column 102 also carries slip rings 120 which are contacted byelectrical contacts 122 adapted to be connected to a source ofelectrical energy. The contacts 122 and the slip rings 120 areindividually connected to electrical conductors which extend through thecolumn 102 and the beams 100 into the vehicles V to provide electricalenergy to the motors therein which serve to operate the guns G.

The beams 100 are pivotally attached to the column 102 by pins 123 toenable the beams 100 to be positioned at various angles with respect tothe column 102. A hydraulic actuator 124 is connected between each ofthe beams 100 and the column 102. The actuator is hydraulicallyconnected to a source of hydraulic fluid or air and is controlled by thecontrol lever 22 mounted in an associated vehicle V whereby to variouslyposition the beam 100 with respect to the column 102 in accordance withwell known techniques. For example, raising the control lever 22 mayserve to extend the actuator 124 whereby to elevate the beam 100 and thevehicle V. Similarly, depressing the control lever 22 may serve to lowerthe vehicle V.

The column 102 is covered by a generally-cylindrical housing 126 whichterminates at a deck 128. The deck 128 is formed in a very flat cone sothat projectiles P falling thereon roll to a funnel-like central section130. An electrical motor 132 is mounted at the bottom of the funnel-likesection 130 and drives a conveyor 134 which may comprise a screw 136 ina tube 138. Therefore, projectiles rolling into the funnel-like section.130 are carried by the conveyor C upward to a reservoir 140 locatedabove the column 102 which is above the highest point attainable by thevehicles V.

The reservoir 140 is connected to each of the guns G by avariable-length perforated tube 142 which may comprise a plurality ofsections telescopically fitted together to allow the vehicles V to moveto various posi tions relative to the reservoir 140. A vibrator 144 ismounted at each of the exits from the reservoir 140 to prevent theprojectiles P from clogging at the entry to the tubes.

The entire moving apparatus of FIGURE 1 is covered by an enc osure 146which may be formed of screen, or various other materials. The lowerportion 146A of the enclosure 146 is transparent and lies adjacent acatwalk 148 upon which spectators may stand to view the moving apparatuswithin the enclosure 146. The ceiling portion 146B of the enclosure hasultraviolet or black lights 150 mounted thereon to illuminate theinterior of the enclosure with the ultraviolet radiation. Theprojectiles P and the vehicles V are painted with luminescent materialand therefore fiuoresces under the light from lights 150.

In the operation of the system constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, passengers are seated in the seats 16 and 18 in thevehicles V. The motor 116 is then energized causing the column 102 torevolve along with the supporting base 104 and the housing 126. As thecolumn 102 turns, the column carrying the vehicles V is revolved througha circular pattern. Of course, the passengers in the vehicles V mayvariously position the control levers 22 in order to set the hydraulicactuator 124 at various lengths and thereby simulate dives and climbsfor the vehicles V.

While operating the lever 22 to simulate flight of the vehicles V,within a restricted pattern of movement, the passengers may also operatea gun G to propel projectiles P either at other of the vehicles V,spectators on the catwalk 148 or other targets which may be mountedinside the enclosure 146. As a result, considerable entertainment isprovided for the passengers in the vehicles V as well as the spectatorsstanding on the catwalk 148.

It is to :be noted, that the projectiles P possess relatively littlemomentum in view of their light weight and therefore upon striking thecanopy 20 or the enclosure 146, the projectiles become dead or expiredand fall to the deck 128 without harming the equipment or thepassengers.

Upon falling to the deck 128, the projectiles roll to the centralsection to be carried by the conveyor C back to the reservoir 140. Ofcourse, the reservoir is well stocked with projectiles P so that each ofthe tubes 142 leading to the vehicles V are always filled withprojectiles to which are continuously provided the guns G.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the structureof the guns G wherein harmless projectiles are propelled by a relativelysimple structure which may be economically constructed.

Another important feature of the present invention resides in thecomposite amusement apparatus which provides considerable activity aswell as an entertaining challenge to passengers placed in the vehiclesV.

Various modifications and changes may be made with respect to theforegoing description without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An amusement apparatus wherein harmless projectiles are propelled atvarious targets, comprising: a base; a plurality of passenger-carryingvehicles; structural means interconnecting said base and each of saidvehicles whereby said vehicles are movable in a limited pattern; gunmeans affixed to said vehicles to propel said projectiles; an enclosuresubstantially covering said vehicles to restrict said projectiles to thearea encompassed by said enclosure, said enclosure including a decksloped to a central area; and conveyor means for receiving at said areaprojectiles shot from said gun means and transporting said projectilesback to said gun means, said conveyor means including a reservoirmounted above said vehicles, means for raising expired projectiles tosaid reservoir and a tube for carrying said projectiles from saidreservoir to said gun means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said projectiles arephosphorescent under ultraviolet light, and said apparatus includesmeans to illuminate the interior of said enclosure with ultravioletlight.

3. An amusement apparatus wherein harmless projectiles are propelled atvarious targets, comprising: a base; a vertical column rotatablysupported on said base; a

plurality of beams extending radially outwardly from said column witheach of said beams having its radially inner end pivotally connected tosaid column; first power-operated means to rotate said column; secondpower-operated means to vary the angular position in a verticaldirection of said beams relative to said column; a plurality ofpassenger-carrying vehicles, each of said vehicles being supported atthe radially outer end of one of said beams whereby said vehicles aremovable in a limited pattern; gun means aflixed to said vehicles topropel said projectiles; an enclosure substantially covering saidvehicles to restrict said projectiles to the area encompassed by saidenclosure, said enclosure including a deck sloped to a central area; andconveyor means for receiving at said area projectiles shot from said gunmeans and transporting said projectiles back to said gun means, saidconveyor mean-s including a reservoir mounted above said vehicles, meansfor raising expired projectiles to said reservoir and a tube forcarrying said projectiles from said reservoir to said gun means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said projectiles arephosphorescent under ultraviolet light, and said apparatus includesmeans to illuminate the interior of said enclosure with ultravioletlight.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHERREFERENCES Luminescence by Pringsheim et al., pages 118-141, publishedin 1943 by Interscience Publishers.

